How were the armies of Athens and Sparta different?

Answer 1

During the Dark Ages of ancient Greece, the two were indistinguishable. Small city-states that we know very little about with complex tribal beliefs and a king called a basileus.

During the Archaic Period, however, the two developed into distinct types of city-state. Athens went from an autocracy to democracy, and Sparta grew into an empire based on the principles of an autocratic meritocracy with a military focus. All Spartan men were citizens, and all Spartan citizens were highly-trained soldiers.

While Athens boasted the best navy, Sparta had some of the best foot soldiers the ancient world had ever seen.

Answer 2

Sparta had a conquered territory which was far greater than that or other Greek cities, including Athens, except when the latter briefly got itself an empire.

Sparta had a limited democracy, where the citizens voted on motions placed before them by the magistrates. Athens had a fifty-year era of direct democracy where the citizens voted and the magistrates implemented. However this then reverted to the limited democracy maintained by the Spartans and others.

Spartan women had considerable freedoms. In Athens women were kept in virtual purdah, running the household and raising children.

Sparta was conservative in its approach to other city-states, avoiding conflict as much as it could, but exercising its power when forced to. Athenians were adventurous, taking advantage of any opportunity which presented to extend its influence and power.

Answer 3

The Spartan culture was purely about fighting and even required their men to serve in the military for most of their life. Sparta's culture centered around military power which meant that it was more powerful then Athens who was democratic. Although Sparta had a city inland so Athens had a more powerful navy.

Answer 4

they were diffrent because their goverment was diffrent and therir leaders